Health Library

Barium Sulfate Oral suspension

What is this medicine?

BARIUM SULFATE (BA ree um SUL fate) is a contrast agent that is used to help x-ray diagnosis of problems in areas of the upper GI tract, like the esophagus, the stomach, and/or the small intestine.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

asthma

difficulty swallowing

eczema or a history of significant allergies

intestinal blockage or perforation

intestinal or stomach cancer

recent rectal biopsy

tracheoesophageal fistula

an unusual or allergic reaction to Barium Sulfate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Your health care professional will tell you how to prepare for your test. If you have not received instructions or if you do not understand them, check with your health care professional before the test.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed for children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you cannot follow the steps to prepare for your test, tell your health care professional. The test may need to be re-scheduled.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected. You may or may not be able to take your regular medications during the time of preparation for your procedure. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Follow all instructions from your health care professional to properly prepare for your test. Serious side effects of the test are rare, but report an unexplained fever, blood in the stool, or significant abdominal pain promptly.

After the test, drink plenty of water to help avoid constipation and to help flush the barium out. You may have light or white stools for a few days after the test. Your stools will go back to normal color within a few days.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

bloating

breathing problems

chest tightness

nausea or vomiting

stomach or lower abdominal pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation

cramping

diarrhea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Barium Sulfate Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

BARIUM SULFATE (BA ree um SUL fate) is a contrast agent. It is used during an x-ray to determine the size of a stricture or abnormal narrowing in the esophagus.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

asthma

difficulty swallowing

eczema or a history of significant allergies

intestinal blockage or perforation

intestinal or stomach cancer

recent rectal biopsy

tracheoesophageal fistula

an unusual or allergic reaction to barium sulfate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. Your health care professional will tell you how to prepare for your test. If you have not received instructions or if you do not understand them, check with your health care professional before the test.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you cannot follow the steps to prepare for your test, tell your health care professional. The test may need to be re-scheduled.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected. You may or may not be able to take your regular medications during the time of preparation for your procedure. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Follow all instructions from your health care professional to properly prepare for your test. Serious side effects of the test are rare, but report an unexplained fever, blood in the stool, or significant abdominal pain promptly.

After the test, drink plenty of water to help avoid constipation and to help flush the medicine out. You may have light or white stools for a few days after the test. Your stools will go back to normal color within a few days.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

bloating

breathing problems

chest tightness

nausea or vomiting

stomach or lower abdominal pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation

cramping

diarrhea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Barium Sulfate Rectal enema, solution

What is this medicine?

BARIUM SULFATE (BA ree um SUL fate) is a contrast agent that is used to diagnose problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

asthma

eczema or a history of significant allergies

intestinal blockage or perforation

intestinal or stomach cancer

recent rectal biopsy

an unusual or allergic reaction to barium sulfate, latex, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is given rectally as an enema. Your health care professional will tell you how to prepare for your test. If you have not received instructions or if you do not understand them, check with your health care professional before the test.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you cannot follow the steps to prepare for your test, tell your health care professional. The test may need to be re-scheduled.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected. You may or may not be able to take your regular medications during the time of preparation for your procedure. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Follow all instructions of your health care professional to properly prepare for your test. Serious side effects of the test are rare, but report an unexplained fever, blood in the stool, or significant abdominal pain promptly.

After the test, drink plenty of water to help avoid constipation and to help flush the barium out. You may have light or white stools for a few days after the test. Your stools will go back to normal color within a few days.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

bloating

breathing problems

chest tightness

nausea or vomiting

stomach or lower abdominal pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation

cramping

diarrhea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will not be given this medicine to store at home.

Barium Sulfate Rectal enema, suspension

What is this medicine?

BARIUM SULFATE (BA ree um SUL fate) is a contrast agent that is used to diagnose problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

asthma

eczema or a history of significant allergies

intestinal blockage or perforation

intestinal or stomach cancer

recent rectal biopsy

an unusual or allergic reaction to barium sulfate, latex, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is given rectally as an enema. Your health care professional will tell you how to prepare for your test. If you have not received instructions or if you do not understand them, check with your health care professional before the test.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you cannot follow the steps to prepare for your test, tell your health care professional. The test may need to be re-scheduled.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected. You may or may not be able to take your regular medications during the time of preparation for your procedure. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Follow all instructions of your health care professional to properly prepare for your test. Serious side effects of the test are rare, but report an unexplained fever, blood in the stool, or significant abdominal pain promptly.

After the test, drink plenty of water to help avoid constipation and to help flush the barium out. You may have light or white stools for a few days after the test. Your stools will go back to normal color within a few days.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

bloating

breathing problems

chest tightness

nausea or vomiting

stomach or lower abdominal pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation

cramping

diarrhea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will not be given this medicine to store at home.